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MEMORIES OF HOME. 

AND OTHER POEMS. 



0LO M. BETTES. 



PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 
Yale, - Mich. 

1898= 

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220.30 



toPYRIGHT, 1898, BY ClO M. BETTEfJi 

All Rights Reserved, 




World's Hope print) Almontj Micht 



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MEFAOE. 

txtxt 

To the indulgent reader, I would say, 

Mark not the frailties of the writer's lines, 

But, rather, look on them as stepping-stone^ 

To more progression in the future work. 

With this apology, I Would further add. 

That I, whose sun is past the zenith, would 

With feeble pen recall some memorials, 

Or recollections of the childhood days. 

We never live but once, nor realise 

These happy dreams are past, till vfQ have left 

The clear shallow stream, fringed with willow^ 

green, 
And bordered o'ef with rosds sweet perfumed. 
And launched our craft upon a broad expanse, 
Where beauties 'long the shore are never seen, 
Or else but dim the outline. We jostle on. 



A unit in a million ; sometimes 

Tranquil is the deep, and smooth our sails ; 

Again, this mighty stream is turbulent, 

And, so frail the craft, there's danger in the main. 

Unless the helmsman, with unswerving eye 

And steady hand, will guide us safely through. 

As now I glimpses catch of this smooth stream, 

Where myriads have embarked, their courses 

All diverging from the starting-point, 

It emboldens me to pen the visions 

Of my early years ; not that they differed 

In tenor or design, or were unlike 

The rollicking companions of my play ; 

But it does me good to sing, in childish key, 

That which was set to music long ago. 

THE AUTHOR. 



MEMORIES OF HOME. 

Away back, in the dimly lighted past, 
First thoughts of home are vague, and overcast 
With memory clouded ; save for mem'ries linked, 
These thoughts would but be dim and indistinct. 
I still remember well familiar scenes 
That come athwart my mind like silver gleams. 
The house, with clapboards weather-beaten, 
Too small in size to hold a fete in. 
Against the upright leaned a kitchen wing. 
Which one might think a mean, dependent thing ; 
But, when the reg'lar gales of Autumn came, 
And the old house creaked, as tho' it were in pain, 
Or often reeled, like some lost ship at sea. 
The kitchen stout, her moorings held, while we 
In this apartment waited for Lhe morn. 



6 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

And thankful were that it survived the storm. 

To this vast wilderness my parents came 

To found a home, and competence attain. 

But what great hardships did they here endure, 

To get their daily bread, and a home secure. 

From break of day till e'en did father toil, 

To clear the forest and to till the soil. 

Or shingles make, and take them miles a score. 

To keep the wolf, so gaunt, outside the door. 

My mother to the spindle did betake, 

And never ceased to labor for our sake ; 

For seven children graced the fam'ly board ; 

With such an outlook, there was naught to hoard. 

The pioneers, who first come on the soil, 

And who, from sun to sun, delve, drudge anc 

moil. 
Are often cast aside, and their 'compense 
Is reaped by offspring, or him who invents 
To labor save, and, with more modei-n wares, 
He patronizes toil with meaning airs. 



MEMORIES OF HOME. 1 

The furnishings for home my father made, — 
The clock and stove left out ; — not ill his trade. 
But, if with modern homes we should compare, 
The certain quaintness might induce a stare. 
The darkened well-curb, and the old-time sweep, 
With their surroundings, were in perfect keep ; 
And purest water covered mossy stone. 
And made this well a blessing to our home. 
Before the door, in beds, grew hollyhocks, 
And bouncing-bets, and sweetest pinks and phlox, 
While knot-grass made a cushion for our feet. 
And shielded them from cold and summer heat. 
The cellar, made of sod, we called a fort ; 
And all the vessels bound for our port, 
We turned a loaded battery upon. 
With lively zest and relish for the fun. 
An apple-tree, close by, was often stormed, 
A chicken-coop susiDicious, we forewarned, 
Till mother bade us haul our colors down, 
And left us shorn of prowess and renown. 



8 MEMOIUES OF HOME. 

Well knew we ev'ry log that made the barn, 

These stately trees had once adorned the farm ; 

But, like the timbers in the ships at sea, 

Their beauty lieth in utility. 

So primitive and simple in design 

Was this construction, yet it served its time. 

The loft was kept for hay, and there we found 

Eggs which w^ere newly laid, in nests so round. 

We sat upon the hay and stories told 

Of wolves and bears and wild -cats, then so bold, 

Till ev'ry corner seemed to us a lair. 

Prom out of which there might stalk forth a bear. 

The faithful Fan and Doll in stalls below. 

With Bright and Brindle nodding in their bow, 

Were taking luncheon from their noonday meal, 

Of straying bits, or from the loft would steal. 

Our fav'rite friends we ne'er forgot to feed. 

Who never failed us in the time of need. 

We never since have tasted milk like that ; 

'Twas relished, too, e'en by the dog and cat. 



MEMORIES OF HOME. 9 

Upon the barn-yard green, my brothers played, 
With neighboring boys in Summer's ev'ning shade. 
Their games were bat and ball or hide and seek, 
Or whatever took their fancy or their freak. 
My brother Samuel for adventure bound. 
Thinking, that an aeronaut he would confound, 
Constructed wings to take aerial llight, 
And on the breezes ride, as though a kite; 
And from the summit of the barn surveyed 
His chosen course, and never once dismayed. 
So with extended wings, he rose in air, 
And bade adieu to friends and mother's care. 
He would soon a distance put to home and scenes, 
And find it real, what once were boyish dreams. 
But as the best miscalculate their flight. 
And quite as often with the worms alight. 
So, in this instance, Samuel, with a bound. 
Fell ankle-deej) in soft and muddy ground. 
This same adventurer has maturer grown, 
Yet in imagination oft has llown. 



10 MEMOBIES OF HOME. 

If, though his wings are more securely riven, 
He often falls, with surer pinions given. 
Here may the author's saying be reversed, 
That goodness dieth, while evil is rehearsed. 
May all our faults be buried in the clay; 
The good remain behind, and not decay. 

The farm was small, of acres twice a score 
With added five ; yet Nature's richest store 
Was in its season opened for our good, 
And luscious berries formed our dessert food. 
The setting sun was faced by clearing new; 
The woods behind did more than drop the dew, — 
They dropped the acorns, beech and hickory nuts, 
So the furry tribes might all have banquets. 
The huntress Dian, with her shaft and bow. 
Had been content, for here the buck and doe 
Had beaten paths that led from their retreat 
To streams that slaked their thirst, in cold and 
heat. 



MEMORIES OF HOME. 11 

A living forest is a mine of gold, 

A goodly heritage to have and hold, 

And daily draw from it, as from a well ; 

And every day the birds its praises tell. 

Here artists wander, and portray in mind, 

Or on the canvas, some o'er- straying hind ; 

And for the background paint a feathery tree, 

Or mossy dell, where roams the humble-bee. 

A tinted leafy grove, or woodland height. 

With branches waving in the morning light, 

And Autumn berries red, and mossy knolls, 

Is such a nook where poets love to stroll, 

And sing of Nature's wealth and boundless sweet. 

That make life real, and in itself replete. 

One day in early Spring, my father took 
An ax and auger, and we crossed a brook, 
To where a grove of maples interspersed 
With beech, and little vales were still iuimcrsed 
In snow. In every maple tree he bored 



12 memorie:s of home. 

A hole, and sweetened sap, which had been stored 
The season past, came oozing out and dropped 
In troughs below, as they had been so propped 
To catch the amber juice. Here Nature had 
Another sustenance to freely add. 
The sap we gathered at the eventide, 
And left in barrels, while we homeward hied 
To dream of next day's pleasure half begun. 
Before the rising of an April sun. 
Ofttimes we're happy with foretasted joys ; 
The lacking to partake makes equal poise; 
Else too much gladness, all in one bright dream. 
Would make the intervals a sluggish stream. 
Not so our joys were measured, for the day 
Was warm and bright, and Nature's green array 
Was showing forth on hills and rising ground. 
And bees drank in the sweet with buzzing sound. 
We houses made of knotted moss and stones. 
And furnished them with acorns and pine cones. 
Before the sun behind the tree-tops hid 



MEMORIES OF HOME. 13 

Its light, from brother John there came a bid 

To fill the little molds with sugar brown; 

This bidding came our happiness to crown. 

So Bright and Brin took home a merry load; 

In dodging trees they made a crooked road. 

In looking back to childhood's small career, 

These were the happy days of all the year. 

Our next joy was the cheery robin's note. 

We heard the medley of the frogs by rote, 

And up the little winding stream there came 

The bull-frog's croak; much like a scolding dame 

Was its harsh voice, or some frightful mermaid, 

Or crocodile, that eats the Indian babe. 

This stream did generate, in early times. 

The chills and fever, like to Southern climes. 

As an unw^elcome guest it came and went. 

To tease and pain and worry was its bent, 

Till up we rose, with weapons of our own, 

And drove this phantom guest to parts unknown. 



14 3fEM0RIES OF HOME. 

Our books were few, and papers, as a rule, 

Were those we gathered at the Sabbath School. 

We duly valued stories, prose or verse, 

Nor criticised their lines, if rude or terse. 

A pleasing reminiscence of the past, 

And one >ve will remember to the last. 

Was listening to the tales which father read, 

While we w^ere, in imagination, led ^ 

To mighty Egypt's "City of the Sun,*' 

Which charmed and moved the soul of every one. 

Its ancient splendor, pyramids, and art, 

Its gorgeous temples, and cities famed for mart^ 

Its gardens, obelisks, and fountains cold. 

Altars, sphinxes, and statues of pure gold. 

Its grave philosophers and learned men, 

Sages and armies, skilled in war, as then, 

And though untaiight about this planet's girth ^ 

It rose above the empires of the Earth. 

Towering beyond the men with mitids so rare- 

Was Prince Remeses, Egypt's royal heir,, 



MEMORIES OF HOME. 15 

Who by his foster mother, Queen Amense, 
Was found asleep among the rushes ; hence, 
This little babe, so rescued from the stream, 
When he became a man, saw in a dream 
His life in whole, up to the magic time 
It was revealed. Was act e'er more sublime 
Than this noble Hebrew's ? — born to greatness. 
And greatness he attained ; but thought much less 
To be a king o'er Egypt's ancient pride. 
Than lead his people forth and be their guide. 
My fancy journeys back with rapid sails, 
I still in fancy hear these ancient tales, 
Rich in beauteous thought and eloquence ; 
Even grander, to my narrow breadth and sense, 
Than painter with his pencil does portray. 
Or sculptor chisels marble, or molds clay. 

The earliest recalling of my life 

Was the dark thundering of civil strife. 

Which seemed to hang around us like a pall, 



16 MEMOmKH OF HOME. 

And shut out sunlight, with its gloomy walL 
My thoughts about it, at the age of four. 
Were, that it had and would forevermore 
Continue. I remember, near its close, 
That Lincoln's death seemed to increase our woeg/ 
Though of its import we were still in doubt, 
We knew the solar light had been put out. 

The school-house, cottage- roofed, was small in- 

deed, 
And in it grouped some children much in need 
Of culture for the mind. We ofttimes went 
To this acquire, and oft on mischief bent. 
But there we helped to lay the corner stone, 
On which to build in all the years to come. 
This structure served for school and meetings too. 
There an assembly met, in numbers few, 
Renewed their fellowship, and filial love. 
And for good old-fashioned times they strove. 
No organ played where they were wont to meet, 



MEMORtES OF HOME. 17 

No choir sang the songs to measured boat. 

Their tunes were Boylston, Rockingham and Webb; 

A few of these, which some good sister led, 

Comprised their complement in hymns of praise, 

And kindled their devotion to a blaze. 

No chandelier o'er festive crowds e'er shone^ 

And grab^bags were a scandal here unknown. 

Hell-doom was the precept to the scorner, 

And ' 'Bless the Lord "came from each amen cornei'. 

The sports for youth and maiden then were such 
As not to keep them indoors over-much. 
To walk a mile or so was their delight, 
They oft convened, the wind and rain despite. 
A comic character comes in this scerte — 
In stature short, bald-headed, somewhat lean, 
With face smooth-shaven, ear-locks long and browd, 
One gallows hitched a pant-leg up, the other down. 
A quaintish hat his baldness covered o'er, 

m 



1^ Mmiontm op home. 

And here you have this character of yore. 
One ne'er can tell, if garments hang awry 5 
The kindly hearts that under them do lie. 
One ne'er can tell by the bigness of the hat. 
The amount of brain which lieth under that. 
Nor can one tell by silken garments fine, 
How much of flimsiness do there combine. 
This little man, at sight so unrefined, 
Had, in his make-up, a retentive mind, 
And books of fiction, read the week before, 
He could repeat verbatim, to the score 
Of youngsters, who assembled there to hear 
These wondrous tales, from the little man so queer 
The books were his companions, for he led 
A hermit life; and oaken branches spread 
Their far out-reaching arms, as if to shield 
His little hut from enchoachers of the field. 
A smithy's shop stood furlongs from, this gorge, 
And Sammy furnished coal to run the forge. 
The song reversed, is that we may forget 



MEMORIES OP HOME. 10 

The stories old, but not the man we met. 

No matter how in life a person ranks, 
There are ever those who imitate his pranks, 
My brothers, youngest two, in trio went 
With neighbor Andrew, their fired passions pent, 
Back in the forest, out of sight and sound 
Of home; and, after many searches found 
A site to build a hut. They there conceived 
The project, after hearing tales which they be- 
lieved, 
Of Indian scouts, who skillful were, indeed. 
In cunning strategems to suit their purposed need. 
They took a gun, which had been proudly borne 
By a vet'ran of a former war, and sadly shorn 
Of polish, and of fixtures too; — not less 
Hopeful were these brigands of success. 
All day they lay in ambush for the foe, 
And still were there, when the evening sun was 
low. 



20 MEMomm OP troMR 

When over e'en the robes of night were flung, 
There, on its darkened wall, were pictures hung 
Of cruel savage beasts, which might, ere then, 
Be sniffing on their track, and, in their den 
t)evour them by piece-meal; this dreadful thought 
To scouting put an end, and with it brought 
A longing for the home they left at morn, 
And the supper, that their hunger would not scorn. 
This desire came over them anew. 
When a screech-owl, from his perch, said, " Tu» 

whoo. " 
They quickly left the foe they had not seen. 
And scampered homeward, by the starlight gleam, 
With a promise to their parents of reform, 
And a thimbleful of wisdom gained since morn. 

A straying little beam,* came 'cross our way, 
And shone before us all the live-long day. 
Per like a sunbeam was this little one, 

=-^=-* A little sister who died in infancyi 



MEMORIES OF HOME. 21 

Who came to gladden, for a time, our home. 

But the great Sun withdrew the lesser light, 

And our pathway was as dark as night. 

No other sunbeam ever took her place 

In our hearts. But morn came on apace, 

For childish sorrow never lasts o'er long; 

The wound's not deep, for not so deep the prong. 

These are some glimpses caught of early life, 
Which savor less of discontent and strife 
Than later years. And if we penned the scenes 
From thence to now, the real liviag dreams 
Of later time, would suit the public best, 
And meet applause, with more of zeal and zest. 
Not only would less vague the dreams appear. 
But the growth of thought be met, from year to 

year. 
And why I write thus, in this childish strain, 
I gave you, in the first of this refrain. 



22 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

The scenes are new, and characters who then 

Appeared upon this real drama, when 

The play was in effect, are changed, or gone 

To a more perfect life. As rosy dawn 

Succeeds a wild tumultuous night, 

So this exemplifies, that life beyond is light. 

Maria first went from the fam'ly flock; — 

Her sudden death came to us with a shock. 

In disposition, she was best of all, 

And gave a quick response to kindness' call. 

Then father said farewell in rip'ning age. 

And we were thus bereft of counsels sage. 

Franklin left a void 'round the hearth and home, 

To pass where he will know as he is known. 

Lastly, mother said adieu to care, 

To meet in reunion with the f am 'ly there. 

The rest of us are still upon the stage. 

To front the ills of life, its storms assuage. 

Samuel, Ambro, John, and sister Nan, 

And I, your servant, latest in the van, 



MEMORIES OF HOME. 23 

To enhance one single talent small, 

And as in me lies, to do good to all. 

And while I've feebly tried to youth portray. 

And taken pleasure in this roundelay, 

My thoughts revert to time that's been misspent. 

Why idle seem, when time is only lent? 

And often with our brilliant hopes so high, 

The mirrored future, and success so nigh, 

One deviating thought, with more in train. 

Will turn our course of life, our prospects maim. 

And if w^e have what nature gives the best. 

With lack of will, lies sleeping in our breast, 

I find in life, the gifts we overlook. 

And don't improve, will make the larger book. 



24 MEMORIES OF HOME. 



A WESTERN SNOWBOUND. 

We saw the Eastern Magnet rise, 
And lighten up the Western skies, 

With superfluous light. 
Bright and effulgent were its rays; 
It said to us, that brighter days 

Would counteract the night. 

In childhood we were highly pleased, 
And from our sorrows quite appeased, 

To see a robin's nest. 
But since of life we more desire. 
There's nothing more to soul inspire, 

Than a sunrise in the West. 

We saw the morn blend into day. 
All nature seemed as bright and gay, 



A WESTERN SNOW-BOVXD. 25 

As groom on bridal morn. 
But soon the sun began to frown, 
And through the lowering clouds look down 

At us in angry scorn. 

With hands upon the casement wide, 
We outward looked and prophesied, 

A storm w^as coming soon, 
*' 'Tis coming slowly," some one said, 
*' Look out for breakers now ahead, 

That'll drift us to the moon, 

*' The cattle in the shed we'll feed, 
And plenty of it, too, they'll need, 

To make them snug and warm. 
The horses we'll attend with care, 
Then fuel from the shed pi^epare, 

To last us through the storm. ' ' 

It stilly came, slowly at first, 

At e'en we thought a cloud had burst, 



26 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

In wrath upon our heads. 
The Furies seemed to all unite 
In war, and madly did they fight, 

And sound the battle's tread. 

When dreary night to morn unlocked, 
We went to feed our well- housed stock, 

And turned the kitchen knob. 
Nought could we see, of earth or sky, 
The snow lay heaped up mountain high, 

And fell like an angry mob. 

Imprisoned were we, for three long days, 
The snow obscured the sun's faint rays, 

And piled the traversed road. 
The cattle bellowed in the shed, 
The horses stamped because unfed. 

The cock impatient crowed. 

We heard afar the sheep's faint bleat, 
Where closely huddled in a heap, 



A WE8TEBN SNQW-BOUNB. 

They chewed their swallowed cud. 
The fuel now was well-nigh gone, 
So dimly through the grate it shone, 

It chilled our very blood. 

The cloud that's always silver-lined. 
Is never brighter to our mind, 

Than w^hen it is contrasted 
With one that's heavy, dull and dark, 
Where not a single ray or spark, 

Shines on its hopes so blasted. 

If thus the moon would always shine, 
And never let her light decline, 

Nor hide from us entire. 
Our moonlit nights on land and sea, 
Would unappreciated be. 

Just like a shepherd's lyre. 

In musing of the things of Earth, 
We often wonder, if our birth 



28 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

Had taken place in Heaven, 
And sorrows here, had been unknown. 
Would all the stars as brightly shone, 

In each kingly diadem ? 

So when the storm was fairly stayed, 
And our fears were thus allayed, 

With shovels all around, 
Cheerily we did set to work; 
No one his morning task did shirk, 

To succor those storm-bound. 

By noon, our task was much the lighter, 
The stock w^as fed, and things seemed brighter, 

Than they had been for days. 
Our neighbor's house-top was in view, 
And sparkled in the sunlight new. 

Like diamonds ablaze. 

Now, reader, when in accents clear. 
About our glorious West you hear, 



IK MEMORY OF ED WIN LUTZ. 29 

In holiday orations, 
Reflect a moment, and you'll find 
Our cloud's not always silver-lined, 

But lined for the occasion. 



IN MEMORY OF EDWIN LUTZ^ 

A SCHOOL BOY once, and playmate dear, 
When sorrows sat more light than now. 
On childish heart and childish brow, 

And time was measured not by years. 

A studious and thoughtful boy 
Was Edwin ; and to those in need, 
Was kindly helpful ; thus the deed 

Bid merit the reward of joy. 

The attributes that marked the child, 
Enhanced, and also marked the man ; 



30 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

But life is such a misty span, 
It vanisheth in sunlight mild. 

Thy years were early numbered here, 

But meted not is life by time ; 

And three -score years might have been thine, 
For deeds count more for life than time. 

Thy services we need in truth, 
In town and council hall and state ; 
May thy example not abate, 

But live and guide some careless youth. 

Thy praises here we leave unsung, 
And here condole with the bereaved ^ 
For oft in common we have grieved. 

By common lot aur hearts are wrung. 

But mourn w^e not as those do mourn ^ 
Whose only hope lies in the grave ;. 
For He, Whose mission is to save. 

Can bind the hearts so sadly torn. 



A MOTHER'S REFLECTIONS. 31 

A MOTHER'S REFLECTIONS. 

The mother's glad when even comes, 
And sees her restless little ones 

All snugly put in bed ; 
For since the morn their noisy chatter, 
With never-ceasing klick-clatter, 

Has tried her aching head. 

She hears anon their boisterous shout, 
As down the hall their laugh rings out, 

That shakes the very plaster. 
They now ascend the hall-way stairs, 
Some singly come, and some in pairs, 

To see who'll come the faster. 

But one too far did try his skill, 
And imitate the famous Jill, 

Who tumbling after came ; 
Except he did not go to bed, 



32 MEMORIES OE HOME. 

But mother had to mend his head, 
And soothe him just ihe same. 

They played at teaching District-school^ 
Where all would liave to mind the rule,. 

But one would be the teacher ; 
They'd gather quietly at church, 
And some would wink and others smirlc. 

While list 'ning to their preacher. 

The patient motlaer bore the nodse, 
Fffom all these romping girls and boys. 

If peaceful was their play ; 
But when their voices- rose in strife, 
She said, " My children, make of life 

One bright, unclouded day/' 

So e'en has come,, and prayers are said,, 
And they are snugly tuclied in bed^ 

To sleep, and sweetly dream. 
The hall-way now is very quiets 



A motheh'S reflections. 03 

And silence reigns instead of riot, 
And restful is its mien. 

An hour now, to think or read, 

Or patch and mend, as most she needs, 

Must not neglected be. 
Mother's soliloquies are brief, 
l.'i these she always finds relief, 

And recompense in fee. 

The hour glides by, she takes a peep. 
And finds her babes are all asleep. 

And sweet is their repose. 
Their pictures artists must admire, 
And worth a lifetime to aspire, 

Like these to paint a rose. 

Sweet innocence is on their broWs,— ^ 
May Heaven help them then as now, 
When, on Life's flowing tide, 

(3) 



84 MEMORIES OF HOME, 

Their waves go out to meet the ocean, 
And join in more or less commotion 
With those that's by their side. 

The mother, resting there the while, 

ts justly pleased. Their lingering smiles 

Requite her thus in full 
For all their noisy play and clatter, 
And little wee ones' pit-a-patter; 

Such blessings cover all. 



THE AUTHOR. 



When lirst an unskilled author starts to write, 
In metrical gyrations is his flight, 
His pinnacle metes to a certain height, 
With little difference. 



THE A VT lion. 35 

He meditates and searches into lore, 
For that which might confirm his statements o*er, 
And tries to find an entrance through the door 
That leads to higher ideas, 

To consummate expressions of his thought, 
May months and years consume, of matter brought, 
And then be dubbed as worthless and for naught, 
By those who cannot fathom, 

His work is done, though never quite complete; 
The thought is there, but strix3ped of raiment neat, 
By critics, who doth sit in judgment-seat, 
To interpret him aright. 

In accordance with the founded rules of art, 
A skillful judge may give his writings mart; 
But who can understand the writer's heart. 
Or measure his intent? 



36 MBMOniES OF HOME, 

No critic, howe'er wise, can read aright, 
And follow in the vales and up the height, 
Of desert, w^ilderiiess, and groves of light, 
With his length of leveled rule. 

Some give his verses credit, though they're 

maimed. 
And others with an apathy unfeigned, 
Say, "They're well enough, though I've not 

deigned 
To give it second thought." 

Rather be their answer pro, or con, 
Than have the two opinions joined in one; 
In truth it only breeds a scorpion 
That leaves a sting behind. 



THE LITTLE SAND MAX. 37 



THE LITTLE SAND MAN. 



A LITTLE man with shoes of tan, 

Comes nightly to our door; 
He takes a peep. If we're asleep, 

He hears our noiseless snore. 

His nose is flat, just like his hat; 

He's just three feet in height. 
In one wee hand is a bag of sand, 

He carries round at night. 

"What does he do," said Bobbie Drew, 
Whose years were only four, 

" To find our house, just like a mouse, 
Then peep in at the door?" 

"Why Bobbie Drew," said sister Sue, 
"I'm really quite surprised. 



38 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

The sand he brings, he gently flings, 
Straightway in both our eyes. " 

" Our eyes! why Sue, it can't be true 

He'd do so mean a trick. 
Just let me catch him at our latch, 

I'll hit him with a stick." 

*' Be brave if you can, my little man, 

You've courage, I'll allow. 
The way you wink, and nod, and blink, 

He's throwing at you now. " 



NOT A POET, BUT A RHYMER. 

They say my life is but ill-starred. 
And though to make a country bard 
"Would be a worthy recompense* 

* Honor. 



NOT A POET, BUT A RHYMER. 39 

For given talent, mind, and sense, 

I think the recompense far greater, 

Yet not to plaudits do I cater. 

For poets do not write for fame, 

And but ill-gotten is the gain. 

If simply grievance, fame and pelf. 

Gains uppermost his highest self. 

For grievances, though good in kind, 

Are often a distempered mind. 

And he who courts the maiden. Fame, 

Oft carries in his wake a train 

Of empty vanities and bubbles, 

That worry more than common troubles. 

A poet writes as he is taught. 

And gives to all his highest thought. 

His thought is for the common good. 

To edify his brotherhood, 

And make of man, in ev'ry feature, 

A sympathizing human creature. 

Whose heart, like purest molten gold, 



40 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

Is fashioned in divinest mold. 

Though shorn of most of poet's gifts, 

And that which in a sense uplifts, 

We know their lines are something finer. 

I'm not a poet, but a rhymer. 

A poet's mind soars to the skies. 

And penetrates its mysteries. 

It rides the wheels of Saturn's car. 

Keeps pace to pace with Jupiter. 

It feels the warmth of Neptune's rays, 

With Venus fair could end its days. 

It sails the blue ethereal sea, 

And measures off infinity. 

The stars are beacons for its course, 

And gravitation is the force, 

Which holds to windward all its sails, 

While steering free from storms and gales. 

The planets are the rudder strong. 

Which guides this wondrous boat along. 

The port is never quite in view; 



NOT A POET, BUT A RHYMER. 41 

He pulls ahead, there's work to do. 

His sail is interrupted here, 

He gravitates to our sphere. 

Here Nature wears as bright a robe 

As in the great Celestial globe. 

This morn, he started with the lark, 

His eye full set upon the mark. 

And soared along this tireless course, 

Until a streamlet, near its source. 

Mirrored full length the giant oak. 

They soared o'er ocean, lake and rill, 

O'er mountain, highland, plain and hill, 

They traveled thus from West to East, 

And what they saw, to say the least, 

Were all the beauties of the earth. 

They traversed round its wondrous girth; 

Their journey ends where it began; 

Exultant feat, the world to span. 

The giant oak they saw again. 

And thither flew to it in Iv/ain. 



42 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

The lark in summing up the best, 

Was overjoyed to find its nest. 

And fairest palace hall or dome, 

Was not to be compared with home. 

Then spoke the lark, "To say the least, 

Contentment is continual feast. 

And whether tradesman, lawyer, teacher. 

Priest, prelate, parish preacher, 

And men with high or low vocation, 

Should be content to fill their station." 

If not a poet, we're content 

To give our thoughts in lines well-meant. 

A poet's song, if measured be, 

Is full of richest harmony, 

A certain something, that's diviner. 

I'm not a poet, but a rhymer. 



QUEEN OF THE ANTILLES.'' 41 



^ QUEEN OF THE ANTILLES.'^ 

Written May \2, J 598. 
When England with might and oppression, 

Held tyrannous sway o'er our land; 
When Parliament sat in its session, 

And held the reins tighter in hand; 
Our Hancock, Adams and Sherman, 

With Franklin, Henry and Lee, 
And many more found in the van, 

And all upon this did agree: 
That England infringed on our people, 

And, by setting said w^rongs in array, 
Would reach from the base to the steeple 

Of Trinity church in the Bay. 
Such ills as England heaped on us 

Are more than doubled by Spain, 
Whose purposes, dark aud ominous, 



44 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

Have rended the country in twain, 
Where loveliest palms wave their branches, 

Like plumes in the cap of a knight, 
And cocoa-leaves in a cluster 

Are always a beautiful sight. 
This lovely Island of Cuba, 

That Spaniards for hundreds of years, 
Have either by pillage or fray, 

Kept constant its grievance and fears, 
Has hopelessly sought for its freedom. 

From crushing injustice to right. 
And would count it a generous boon. 

For the power of franchise, in trite. 

The great and noble Columbus, 

Succeeding, at last, to obtain. 
Through petitions bold and venturous, 

A favorable hearing with Spain, 
Sailing westward, he found in his course, 

The '' Queen of the Antilles," Cuba, 



''QUEEN OF THE ANTILLES." 45 

Whose magnificent rivers take source 

In the mountains, grand and lofty. 
The atmosphere is fragrant and clear, 

And flowers are unrivaled in hue; 
Here nature, throughout the whole year, 

Exhibits her beauties anew. 
The crafty and daring Cortez 

Took the opulent city of Aztec; 
The splendor and wealth of the Incas, 

Pizarro completed its wreck. 
But, how w^as Columbus awarded 

For this greatest achievement of man? 
The smaller of children have read 

Of injustice by King Ferdinand. 
By age, and infirmities broken, 

And wearied with hardships and toil, 
He lived his last days with no token 

Of friendship from those of his soil. 
He, neglected in poverty, died. 

And was buried with pomp and great show; 



46 MEMORIES OF HOME, 

His countrymen came to his side 

With honors too late to bestow 
On a nobleman, greater than king, 

The tribute befitting his name. 
We regret that death only did bring 

Him exalted repute and fame. 
What right has Spain of oppression, 

Any more than people with slaves? 
It is not a claim or concession, 

But her nature that constantly craves 
To oppress, and bring in control, 

And shift her onerous burden 
On Cuba, with words that cajole. 

While she saps the life-blood of her men. 
For these, and other opi:)ressions. 

The Cubans, without any hope, 
Have risen against these oppressions 

Against an unjust power to cope. 
America hears o'er the waters. 

The cry of injustice and wrongs 



" QUEEN OF THE ANTILLES.'' 47 

From Cuba's brave sons and fair daughters, 

Who have borne these oppressions so long. 
She hears it from towers and domes, 

Prom her castles and fortresses strong; 
From thousands of o'er-burdened homes. 

In patriot and soul-stirring song. 
From her rocky and picturesque shore. 

Her avenues, garden, and plain. 
From the crimson -dyed garments and gore, 

Of our seamen on board of the Maine. 
The chief of our army and navy 

Has issued a call or proclaim, 
And thousands have rushed to the fray. 

From o'er this extended domain. 
He calls not for religion or creed 

Nor those of a faith does he seek, 
Nor Protestants to march in the lead. 

Nor Catholics, Roman or Greek, 
He calls not for Germans or Poles, 

Nor our Scandinavian brothers: 



48 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

Nor Scotts from the sands and the shoals, 

Nor Englishmen, kin of our mothers. 
He calls not for Yankees alone, 

Nor for citizens, white or black, 
But he calls for America's own, 

Who will loyally lead the attack. 
For patriots, inspired by love, 

To battle for country and right, 
Who in concord and harmony move, 

And fail not in courage or might. 
Paul Jones roused the patriot heart, 

While Perry in gallantry vied. 
Brave Parragut oped the Southern mart, 

But in Dewey, we glory and pride. 
The one who reads history past, 

Of Cuba's great struggle for right, 
Will gladsomely welcome at last, ' 

The day that's already in sight. 



THE WRECK OF THE SULTANA. 4(J 



THE WRECK OF THE SULTAlSfA. 

Great as was the loss of life, so dire, 
On board that noble battle-ship, the Maine, 
Which stood in waters that the wily Spain 

Has held in sovVeigri rule, and vents her ire 
On unsubmissive heads, this loss, though rai'e^ 
With what we here relate will not compare. 

To the survivors of that awful wreck, 
Which happened near the close of civil strife. 
Between the North and South, when loss of life, 

The unseen Hand was very loth to check;— 
We join in thankfulness, that such a fate 
They missed. To them, these lines we dedicate. 

Two thousand Union men at Vicksburg lay 
In waiting, for an up-bound boat to pass, 
(4) 



50 MM£Onit:s OF JJOMEr 

These soldiers had collected there enmasse 
t<>om prisons in the South, Without delay, 
They boarded the Sultana, and her gong 
Signaled departure, with her cargo strong, 

Sons and fathers here rejoined each other, 
After bearing hardships on the Southern field, 
Or in prisons languished, without a shield 

Prom tropic heat. In storms exempt from cover, 
Till loathsome effects made their bodies ill, 
And many died, whom powder failed to kill. 

These prisoners had either been returned 
For Southern men that lay in North confines, 
Or by their keeper's flight to Union lines, 

Had made escape — by artifice — well-earned, 
And left the South, with biased minds unsown, 
And contemplated meeting friends at home. 

The River old, which DeSoto did espy, 

Had many freighted boats pass by her piers ; 



THE WRECK OE THE SULTANA. -^1 

But none more weighty, nor just light of fears, 
When they the city Memphis did descry, 
Her spires shining as that many suns, 
And well-defended then by Union guns. 

What thoughts were theirs, that after months and 
years 
Of weary march by day, and rations rude, 
Too insufficient for their daily food, 

At night on grounds so damp and bare and drear^ 
To make their beds, regardless of the rain, 
And chilling dews, that numbed their very brain/ 

Methinks the boat at Memphis stopped too long^ 
And with impatient feet they trod the deck, 
Awaiting for the captain's signal beck, 

And passed the time in jocund laugh and song. 
The boat was crowded to its full extent ; 
The soldiers even found their slumbers pent. 

^Tis one o'clock ; the sun is making East } 



52 MEMoniES OF ttOME. 

Before her beams are here, hundreds of souls 
Will have a pass beyond this earthly goal. 
The Sultana, with power so increased 

To move her cumbrous load, one boiler burst ; 
Spare us the sight, to those w^ho saw it first. 

Terrifiic thunder was as like to that, 

Which burst upon their senses, every one ; 

A light 'ning stroke was never surer done, 
Than when her steam expanded. A thousand sat 

Or lay on deck, and died without a moan ; 

Five hundred more were in the river thrown. 

These honest men had thus espoused the cause, 

To save our Union, and to freedom gain. 

They rest from warfare, while the cause remains, 
Embellished by their toil with fitter law^s. 

"Discharged from service," reads the great 
command 

From Him who holds all j30wer in His hand. Q 



A LOCK OF GOLDEN HAIR. 53 



A LOCK OF GOLDEN HAIR. 

A FRIEND presented me a book, 

In Russian leather bound. 
How came she thus to overlook 

What I so quickly found ? 

To me a question is unknown, 

And never was explained, 
Though many suns their course have run, 

And many moons have waned. 

The book, when opened, caught my eye, 

Not on the Poet's words, 
Which savored of high tragedy. 

And all one's feelings stirred ; 

But in a knot of ribbon blue, 
Securely tied with care, 



54 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

Lay on its pages, almost new, 
A lock of golden hair. 

The memories that seemed so real. 

Themselves arrayed before 
My sight, and through the mind did steal, 

Like resurrected lore. 

This lock had once adorned the brow 
Of childhood, sweet and fair, 

More innocent of guile than now, 
And solely free from care. 

Perhaps some cherub of a boy, 

Asleep at mother's knee. 
Her light, and pride, and household joy, 

A winsome lad, may be, 

Had thus been shorn of one wee lock, 

For a souvenir to keep. 
While he was dreaming of the flock. 

That strayed from small Bo -Peep. 



A LOCK OF GOLDEN HAIlt 

It might have been a precious curl 

Prom Baby's locks of gold, 
A playful, darling little girl, 

A lambkin from the fold. 

Lent for a time to mother's care, 

But found this fold of man. 
Too insecure from worldly snares, 

For this harmless one ewe lamb. 

Maybe this laughing, infant child 

To womanhood has grown, 
And little ones have daily smiled 

Around her hearth and home. 

If none of these our thoughts can claim, 

O tell me, tell me where 
This infant child, and wherefore came 

The lock of golden hair. 



56 MEMOBIES OF HOME. 

THE VULTURE AND THE LAMB. 

Once in a gallery hung 

A picture new and rare ; 
It might have been a master-piece 
From one of the art schools of Greece, 

And lauded everywhere. 

Or else it w^as designed 

On our pictured shores, 
Where a cloud-capped mountain rears its head, 
Its base w^ith verdure over-spread, 

And deep its hidden stores. 

Its history knew we not, 

Nor did we there find out ; 
"We valued not the artist's taste, 
For, whether verdant fields or waste, 

We might have been in doubt. 



THE VULTURE AND THE LAMB. ^7 

But, this is what we saw, 

And why we stood to pause ; 
There, on the grass, a lifeless lamb, 
And, standing over it, the dam, 

To keep it from the claws 

Of a rapacious bird, 

A vulture, which inclined 
To sieze the lamb, and there devour, 
For it, if such were in its power, 

On lifeless beasts rapined. 

The mother, with a mien / 

That bade the bird, forsooth. 
Not touch her lamb, begot a thought 
So real, and to our mind it brought 

This simile of truth : 

If, when a mother sheep 

Could so protect her young, 
And save its lifeless body from 



58 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

The vulture's greedy talon, 
How more intense among 

The human mother kind 

Would this emotion be, 
To save her living young from ills. 
From tempting vice that charms and kills, 

Or lures the soul in jeopardy! 



LITTLE NED'S UNCLE SAM. 

I've heard about an Uncle Sam, 
From people large and small; 

He cannot be a little man. 
And Uncle to us all. 

He must be real tall and stout. 

And very rich indeed. 
To own the land around about, 

And all the people feed. 



LITTLE NED'S UNCLE SAM. 59 

I've heard his age is very great, 

A hundred years and more, 
Since he began to celebrate 

His birth with much uproar. 

They say, the day that he was born, 

Must long remembered be; 
A new republic came that morn, 

That could stand uprightly. 

So I supi)Ose they must be twins, 

He, and our Uncle Sam; 
They doubtless played at game of pins, 

Or made a mud mill-dam. 

Notwithstanding his many kicks,— 

Our Uncle grew; but, when 
His fathers numbered iifty-six, 

And all good honest men, 

We knew his mothers must have been 
In numbers just the same; 



60 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

We hope he got no scoldings then, 
From each good-natured dame. 

But, if I ever see him, though, 

No matter where I am, 
My coat and hat aside I'll throw. 

And hip for Uncle Sam. 



BRIDGET'S CURTAIN LECTURE. 

"OcH, Mickey! Ye've been gude as yer wurred; 

Ye sed ye'd come airly tonight; 
And airly it is, ye ould bird! 

Awakin' me up 'fore 'tis light, 
Wid yer hat all smashed in at the crown, 

Yer garments besmathered wid mud, 
Ye'd make a guid circus-man's clown; 

Ye'r happy wid nary a dud. 






BRIDGETS CVRTAtN LECTURE. 61 

Ye nadn't say, ye'v only, hie; 

Mistaken yer road up the lane; 
Faith, and ye'r a dirty ould brick, 

No matther whichever ye came. 
I've put up wid yer nonsense enuff, 

Mickey, so take to the walk this yer day; 
Ye nad'nt begin now fer to huff, 

I'll be glad whin yer out o' the way. 

The wee bairnies are all better 'n me, 

They've gone to the puir saints above, 
While ye, you ould haythen, can be, 

Ter-morrer a lookin' to rove. 
What! ye say ye've gone and enlisted, 

And goin' ter leave me fer guid, 
And ye've talked and quaffed and persisted, 

'Till they've taken yer name as they should! 

Troth; and me a poor widder alone. 
Ye '11 thrample me lieart in the dust, 

Right here ferninst ye, I'll own, 
I'd be happy wid only a crust, 

If ye '11 be fer not lavin' at all. 
SaintsJ and ye only a foolin'. 



62 31BM0RIES OF HOME. 

And feignin' to go to the wall^ 
Just to see me ardor a coolin"? 

Ah! Mickey, fergive me bould clatterin' way- 

We'll yit be as happy as mice, 
And we'll niver fergit this yer day. 

And I'll hev ye some food in a trice. 
May the saints all here be a witness, 

And our poor w^ee bairnies that's gone,. 
May both of our sinses turn witless 

If we won'^t have a happier home." 



SIR STEWART MOOREL 

iFrom Harry Lorrequer. (Prose) Done in verse;) 

Sir Stewart Moore,, so everyone said,. 

Was an Irishman g-entle by birth; 
An official appointment he led, 

Which was one of magniiicent worth,. 
He was j)olished in speech and manner. 

With pleasing and courtly address,, 



SIR STEWABT 3I00RE. ' 63 

With visible badges and banner, 

And on privileged rights made a stress. 

He had certain ultra-refinement 

Prom intercourse, social and civil; 
To others, he made an assignment 

Of those that be deemed 'neath his level. 
He never partook of a viand 

That pleased not his fastidious taste, 
He addressed only those of his kind, 

And cut his acquaintances chaste. 

As then, so there are yet ever those 

Who their names in the fashion enroll; 
For well-mannered people they pose, 

And distinction in class is their goal. 
Sir Stewart was for Liverpool bound. 

So was another passenger too; 
An opposite character found. 

And Sir Stewart in excellence grew. 

Mrs. Mulrooney, for that was her name, 

Possessed a most garrulous tongue; 
A squatty, red-faced looking dame; 



64 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

From the commoDer sod she had sprung', 
A passenger with waggish intent, 

Represented to her that the lord 
Was a peddler of pills and foment, 

And relieved all from sickness aboard. 

At midnight, the vessel was swaying, 

As its cargo toward England it bore^ 
And a voice so familiar was saying, 

"Oh Stewart, Stewart, I say, Stewart Moore/ 
From the opposite side of the cabin. 

Protruded an aristoci'at nose. 
And a deep voice from out of the din, 

Said, "Who startled me out of my doze?^' 

*' Stewart Moore," said the lady again, 

" And will ye still lay there and snore. 
And I to stay here like a hay then? 

I say, is yer name Stewart Moore y*^' 
"Last night, ma'am, when I entered my birthj, 

The said title I thought was my name^ 
But. you have contrived with your mirth,. 

To make me in doubt of the same." 



SIR STEWART MOORE. 65 

"And is it still there, that ye 're lyin' 

On the broad of yer back like a fish, 
And me here fernint ye a dyin'? 

And what is yer thrade wid the Irish, 
If it isn't to wait on the ladies?" 

Said Stewart, "The woman must be mad, 
With her queer conundrums and ways, 

Such casual acquaintance is bad." 

" Come avick," said Mrs. Mulrooney, 

"And give me a dhrop of yer cordial; 
Bein' yer too lazy to come over to me, 

Indade and I'll cross over the hall." 
Sir Stewart rushed out through the cabin, 

While the lady continued to bawl; 
On deck was loud laughter and din. 

And the wag in his crib heard it all. 



66 MEMOBIES OF HOME. 



CELESTIAL WORLD. 



When mortal matter, with analagous mind, 
Surveys celestial and terrestrial worlds combined, 
How into mere insignificance w^e dro^D, 
Before this mighty power, this universal prop. 
At illimitable space w^e think, and wonder 
Why planetary orbs never part asunder; 
And, what the origin of the force to bind 
Them as a link in one stupendous kind. 
With knowledge vast, we w^ould fail to grasp the 

plan, 
Whereby the Great Infinite Mind drew up the ban. 
Woi-lds upon worlds there are, each with its solar 

light. 
And numerous fixed stars, with radiance bright; 
Each with its blue ethereal vaulted dome. 
Its horison and clouds like mountains made of foam . 
Every orb, perhaps, is peopled with its kind, 
If this, supposed, be true, we wonder if each mind 
Has ideas and conceptions as our own, 



TEKREISTRIAL WOULD. 67 

Or, is it different in that world unknown? 
We leave the infinite, which we cannot descry. 
And, what seemeth was not made for human eye, 
And pass to earthly things. The mind that digs 

and delves. 
In the field of inquiry, will learn about ourselves. 



TERRESTRIAL WORLD. 

The heavenly worlds, so wrapt in their own des- 
tiny. 

Have naught to do with us, or our divine decree. 

Nor have we aught with them; for, so remote are 
they, 

We only watch their movements in their noiseless 
way, 

As we would see a fiock of wild doves sailing o'er. 

To warmer tracts and climes, where plenty is in 
store. 

So, we observe their courses, as ever on they roll, 

High in the firmament, pacing toward their goal. 



SLP 13 



68 MEMORIES OF HOME. 

The heavenly things inspire our minds with awe; 
But the mind that searches out their hidden law, 
Is still more grand; for, it not only does create 
A ship, but the force that moves it in majestic 

state. 
We are all creators in our humble way; 
Existed the material before our day; 
By power of the mind, it's collected as the dew, 
And slumbering thoughts are fanned to life anew. 
So the various elements might have been asleep, 
When darkness covered o'er the face of all the 

deep; 
And light was summoned from the gloom, and 

thence its ray 
Shone forth upon the earth, and light was called 

the day. 
If they were all created, when light was given 

o'er. 
One jot or tittle's not detracted from His store. 
But, of all the great creations, since the world 

began. 
Is this power of thought that's in the mind of man. 






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